Engineering Executive Search Tampa

ROLES WE PLACE

Engineering executive search in Tampa: roles we recruit

We focus on senior roles paying $150K and above, from office leadership to practice and program leadership. Most Tampa Bay searches fall into four groups.

Regional and office leadership

• Tampa Bay office and regional leaders with P&L responsibility
• Regional vice presidents and managing principals
• Operations directors for multi-office firms

Practice and technical leadership

• Transportation and transit practice leaders
• Water, wastewater and stormwater leaders
• Structural, bridge and land development leaders

Program and delivery leadership

• Program and project directors on public capital programs
• Design-build and alternative delivery directors
• Construction engineering and inspection (CEI) leaders

Growth and client leadership

• Business development and pursuit directors
• Public-sector client leaders for city, county and state agencies
• Market sector leaders for aviation, ports, water and energy

You can also see the full list of engineering leadership roles we recruit. In addition, for pay benchmarks, read our Engineering Leadership Salary Report 2027.

LOCAL PROGRAMS

Programs shaping Tampa Bay’s engineering market

Together, these public programs create steady demand for senior engineering leaders. In each case, the figures come from the agencies named, not from AES.

Howard Frankland Bridge

FDOT’s new southbound I-275 bridge between Pinellas and Hillsborough counties covers 5.8 miles, with a construction cost of $973.4 million. FDOT has opened the new express lanes and lists estimated completion as late 2026 (FDOT Tampa Bay).

Westshore Interchange

Construction on the first phase of the I-275/SR 60 interchange rebuild began in January 2026. FDOT lists the Phase I construction cost at $653.3 million, delivered as a phased design-build (FDOT Tampa Bay).

City of Tampa PIPES

PIPES is a $2.9 billion funding plan for water and wastewater improvements, approved by City Council in 2019, with rate changes scheduled through 2040. The system serves more than 733,000 people (City of Tampa).

Tampa International Airport, Airside D

The new 16-gate international terminal has an estimated cost of $1.5 billion and is being built by a design-build team of Hensel Phelps, HNTB and Gensler. It is scheduled to open in 2029 (Tampa International Airport).

OUR PROCESS

How our engineering executive search in Tampa works

Because the search is retained, your appointment gets a dedicated team, clear milestones and a process built on evidence.

Define success

First, we agree what the leader must achieve. Then we build a behavioral blueprint with the McQuaig Job Survey.

Map the market

Next, we map leaders across Tampa Bay and the wider state by client base, delivery model and program experience.

Approach confidentially

We approach candidates directly and discreetly rather than advertising the role.

Assess in depth

Every candidate then completes the 8 RoleDNA™ levels and is scored against your success profile.

Shortlist and close

Finally, you review two to four scored candidates. Then we manage references, offer and onboarding.

You can also see our executive search process step by step.

RoleDNA™ Mapping: 8 levels of assessment

Every shortlisted candidate is assessed across the same 8 levels, so you can compare Tampa engineering leaders fairly before the first interview:

1. Job Location Mapping
2. Executive Summary
3. Professional Photo
4. Candidate Introduction
5. Key Competency Responses
6. Behavioral Assessment
7. Verified References
8. Detailed Resume

For example, the Candidate Introduction is a short video, so you can see how each leader communicates. In addition, the Behavioral Assessment uses the McQuaig Word Survey, matched to the role profile from the McQuaig Job Survey.

Results are then scored against the success profile for your role and shared in a 24/7 online client dashboard. Learn more about RoleDNA™ Mapping.

Florida PE license checks

Many senior roles in Tampa need a Florida Professional Engineer license, which is issued by the Florida Board of Professional Engineers. We confirm each candidate’s license and its status before shortlisting. We also flag early when a leader licensed in another state will need Florida licensure (see NCEES).

RESULTS

The evidence behind our engineering executive search in Tampa

96%

12-month retention

of the leaders we place are still in their role after 12 months.

98%

Fill rate

of the searches we take on are successfully completed.

8

Levels of assessment

in every RoleDNA™ profile, so you compare candidates on evidence.

12/24

Free replacement

months of cover: 12 as standard, extended to 24 (2 years) for senior roles.

A free replacement guarantee and proven retention

Every placement also comes with a 12-month free replacement guarantee as standard, extended to 2 years for senior roles. If the person leaves within the guarantee period, we find a replacement free of charge, subject to the agreed terms of engagement. How our guarantee works.

In one engagement, a growing U.S. engineering firm needed 10 appointments over two years. Before working with us, about 70% of its new hires stayed for 12 months. In contrast, all 10 leaders we appointed were still with the business after their first 12 months. Read the case study.

Firms of every size

We work with engineering firms of every size, from national and international firms to growing regional businesses. In a smaller firm, however, one senior hire can change the direction of the business. That is why we also run a dedicated executive search process for engineering firms under $120M, with the same research, assessment and guarantee.